England have sprung a selection surprise for the second test by picking Will Jacks in place of Mark Wood for the off spinner's first test in three years.
The tourists slipped 1-0 behind in the five-match 2025/26 Ashes after suffering a bruising defeat in the opening Test in Perth, where Australia wrapped up an eight-wicket win inside just two days, a result that sent shockwaves through the visiting camp.
The tourists were the architects of their own downfall, with familiar batting collapses haunting them yet again. England lost five wickets for 12 runs in their first innings, then crumbled for four wickets in the space of 11 in their second, handing Australia full control of the contest.
Now, England head into the second Test determined to hit back. Their first effort, a modest 205, was nowhere near enough, as Australia chased the target down in a single session without breaking stride. Mitchell Starc tore through England's top order, and Travis Head's composed knock put the finishing touches on a commanding Aussie display.
Australia will, however, be without skipper Pat Cummins for the pink-ball Test at the Gabba. While he remains unavailable as he nears the end of his recovery from a lumbar stress injury, the selectors have stuck with their 14-man squad. Cummins will still travel with the team and is expected to be right in the frame for selection when the third Test gets underway in Adelaide on December 17.
Here is a breakdown of the latest team news, predicted lineups and more key details for the second test.
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Australia vs. England Second Test lineups: Confirmed England starting XI, Australia team news, injury latest
Australia have again opted to play it safe with Cummins, ruling their captain out of the Brisbane Test and sticking with the same squad that featured in the Perth opener. Usman Khawaja and Nathan Lyon have both been retained despite carrying knocks in the first match, while Jake Weatherald and Brendan Doggett will be eyeing a second Test appearance after their recent debuts.
With Cummins unavailable, Steve Smith will take the reins once more, and Doggett finds himself with a real opportunity to earn another cap. Khawaja is expected to slot back in if his back spasms ease in time, but should the discomfort linger, Australia may be forced to promote Travis Head into a makeshift full-time opener role. If that happens, Josh Inglis takes the batting spot at six with Cameron Green moving up to five.
There's also no guarantee Nathan Lyon lines up in Brisbane, given the pink ball traditionally favours fast bowlers. The veteran off-spinner managed only two overs in Perth and was left out entirely the last time Australia played a day-night Test in Jamaica.
The conditions may nudge the selectors toward giving Michael Neser a well-deserved run, despite Lyon's formidable haul of 43 wickets in day-night Tests still looming large in the discussion. Neser's no slouch with the bat either, a valuable bonus when the pink ball starts misbehaving and runs become gold dust. On paper, it's a balanced Australian lineup, one that looks ready for anything the Gabba throws at them.
Australia predicted starting XI: Travis Head, Jake Weatherald, Marnus Labuschagne, Steve Smith (c), Cameron Green, Josh Inglis, Alex Carey (wk), Mitch Starc, Michael Neser, Scott Boland, Brendan Doggett
Injured: Josh Hazelwood (hamstring), Pat Cummins (back), Khawaja (doubtful)
Reserve: Josh Inglis, Michael Neser, Jake Weatherald, Beau Webster
Most of England's main squad headed straight for Brisbane, while backup quicks Josh Tongue and Matthew Potts were dispatched to Canberra for a two-day pink-ball hit-out against the Prime Minister's XI - raising the possibility that one of them would replace Mark Wood, ruled out due to concerns with his left knee . However, we now know the Durham quick has been replaced by Will Jacks for the Gabba Test.
Selecting Wood was always a gamble. He underwent knee surgery just nine months ago, picked up a hamstring twinge during the warm-ups, and hadn't played a Test in over a year. His return in Perth, 0-for-44 from 11 overs, underlined that he wasn't quite at full throttle, though England may have persisted with him if he were truly fit.
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So, England have been forced into a reshuffle, turning to spinner and all-rounder Will Jacks rather than doubling down on the all-seam strategy. Despite the top order faltering twice in Perth, there are no changes in the first seven.
England confirmed starting XI: Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Ollie Pope, Joe Root, Harry Brook, Ben Stokes (c), Jamie Smith (wk), Will Jacks, Gus Atkinson, Brydon Carse, Jofra Archer
Injured: Mark Wood (hamstring knock)
Reserve: Shoaib Bashir, Jacob Bethell, Matthew Potts, Joshua Tongue
Australia vs. England Second Test match details
- Date: December 4-8, 2025
- Start Time: First ball set for 9.30 a.m IST
- Venue: The Gabba, Brisbane
- Competition: The Ashes
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